Federal ministers breathed a collective sigh of relief as NSW returned the state Liberal government on Saturday saying it was a triumph of "policy over populism".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott played almost no role in the NSW election campaign and was not present at Premier Mike Baird's victory party on Saturday night. On Sunday, Mr Abbott flew to Singapore for the funeral of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison dismissed the impact of the federal party's recent leadership ructions, saying they had not played a role in Saturday's outcome.

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"[Mike Baird's] popular but he's not a populist," Mr Morrison told Sky News on Sunday morning.

Kept well away: Prime Minister Tony Abbott.Credit:Justin McManus

"I think that's the key to it. Mike Baird is a great bloke and when people meet him, they understand that. What Mike Baird did, he didn't just sell a change, he sold the benefits of change. I don't think Tony Abbott would pretend he's popular, and he's certainly not a populist ... Mike Baird has that winning smile and that incredible natural charm, which only a few people are blessed with."

Mr Morrison said it was "a fair point" to say the federal government had failed in its efforts to sell its reform agenda.

But, he said, the government would continue to make the case for change starting with the upcoming budget.

Senator Arthur Sinodinos said the federal party had learnt from its recent flutter with leadership change: "In the last few weeks Tony has shown the capacity to change."

"Mike Baird sold the benefits of change": Social Services Minister Scott Morrison.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He suggested the federal party needed to demonstrate its environmental credentials in the lead-up to the federal poll, which is still more than a year away.

A poor showing by the NSW Liberals would have reinstated the pressure on Mr Abbott's leadership.

But the win adds to the political breathing space Mr Abbott and the government have enjoyed since the failed February leadership spill.

Ministers said the NSW result was bad for federal Labor, arguing that it showed people were no longer interested in negative campaigns based on fear.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce told ABC television: "At times they might not like Tony Abbott but they think he's strong ... They just don't have any thought whatsoever about [federal Opposition Leader] Bill Shorten.

"Bill Shorten says that you can take any road, well you can't take the low road that [NSW Opposition Leader] Luke Foley took this election, that's pretty clear and I think that should be a message for Bill Shorten, too. That fear campaigns and populist reactionary positions from the Labor Party just don't get you there."